ALFRED STATION, NY – Graduate student Sam Smyth scored in the second half for the Nazareth Men's Soccer team as the Golden Flyers knotted the score at 1-1. Despite several scoring chances in the final minutes Nazareth tied Empire 8 foe Alfred Wednesday night.

Alfred (2-5-2 overall, 1-2-1 Empire 8) scored in the opening minutes of the game to take an early lead. The teams played evenly for the remainder of the half and the score remained 1-0 into the halftime intermission. Shots were an even 4-4 after the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, Nazareth (5-3-2, 1-1-2 Empire 8) applied more offensive pressure in the second half and knotted the score at 1-1 10 minutes into the period as sophomore Drew Decker sent a nice crossing pass into the box and Smyth finished the play for his third goal of the season and his 20th career goal.

The Nazareth offense continued to apply pressure and finished with 11 shots in the second half.

Decker had a good scoring chance with a hard shot from the top of the box with 20 minutes remaining that was saved and junior Matt Bamford had a header off a corner kick miss the side of the goal by less than a yard with five minutes remaining.

Graduate student Cuneyt Vardar and Decker each had four shots to lead Nazareth and sophomore Logan Menna was credited with one save.

Nazareth continues Empire 8 play at Russell Sage Saturday night and will return home Tuesday for non-conference action against Fredonia.